The post office in our little township closed last year, even though it was running in the black. Now there are rumors that the next nearest office, in only-slightly-less-tiny Spencer Township, will be closing soon. These post offices serve a rural population including the Amish who rely entirely on the mail for communication. Longer distances traveled by buggy aren’t just inconvenient. Adding another 10 miles to a post office visit means taking high speed roads that are truly a danger for those relying on real horsepower.

Government services are supposed to uphold the Constitution in ways that benefit the population at large. The United States Postal Service was explicitly authorized by the United States Constitution and has been in existence since Benjamin Franklin served as postmaster general. Yet now our government seems to be strangling this institution out of existence.

The media natters on about non-causes like reduced use of the mail. That’s not the larger reason for this crisis. According to some sources, the USPS predicament has been created by those who prefer to see our mail service privatized.

Let’s look at the facts.

The USPS has no received taxpayer money for over 30 years (except for minor subsidies to cover overseas voters and the disabled). In the 1970’s the Postal Reorganization Act changed the rules, requiring the USPS run like a business. Even now, the USPS is not requesting any government funds.

The USPS is not broke or mismanaged. It continues to net a profit every year. In cooperation with its unions, it has cut more than 110,000 jobs while at the same time adding a million new delivery points. On-time standards are at an all-time high. For the last six years the USPS has been named the most trusted government agency.

One Response to Who Is Stealing Your Mail?

Laura…I had no idea! I love the post office, because I am one of those old fashioned people who like to write letters…on paper, put into envelopes, and stuck in a mail box. I have willingly paid more for stamps, continuing to send out holiday cards and birthday greetings, because I love the idea of getting mail in my box. I love the idea that people I love are getting fun mail, when I make the effort to send something. So these facts you’ve presented distress me. Thanks for doing the research and posting the results. I feel much more informed.